Abstract

Brain damage after stroke and head injury remains a huge clinical problem. In stroke, the initial cause of the damage is a
blockage in a blood vessel (often the middle cerebral artery) and this sets off several pathways that ultimately lead to cell
death. Recent studies have demonstrated that several new mechanisms are involved in neuronal death and this has led to an
increase in research into novel molecules that might prevent brain damage or improve recuperation post‐stroke. There are several
models of global cerebral ischemia. Two of the most widely‐used models are discussed in detail in UNIT, the gerbil bilateral carotid artery occlusion (BCAO) model and rat 4‐vessel occlusion (4‐VO) model. Additionally, several
models of focal cerebral ischemia have been developed to mimic the effects of human stroke. The rationale behind the use of
animal models, the various types of models and advantage and disadvantages of each model are presented.

This is the Web site for the journal Stroke (Journal of American Heart Association), which publishes original research papers using animal models, but also publishes clinical papers and updates on current clinical trials in stroke.

http://cbfm.org/

This is the Web site of International Society of Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism. The official journal of this society is the Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism, which publishes detailed papers using various animal models of cerebral ischemia.

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/

This is the Web site for the U.S. NIH, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. This government agency also supports basic research through grant funding.